1. VIKSIT BHARAT-G RAM G ACT 2025: CENTRE ISSUES CLARIFICATION
SUBJECT: POLITY
- The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued a strong rebuttal against misinformation regarding the Viksit Bharat-G RAM G Act, 2025, which was recently enacted to streamline rural governance.
- The government clarified that the Act guarantees a minimum of 125 days of wage employment per year to every rural household, an upgrade from previous schemes.
- A key provision of the Act mandates a Compulsory Unemployment Allowance if employment is not provided within 15 days of the demand.
- The Ministry emphasized that wage rates under this Act will be revised annually and will remain significantly higher than the previous MGNREGA benchmarks.
- Entry of private contractors in the execution of rural works is strictly prohibited under this law to ensure direct benefit transfer to workers.
- Concepts: Article 41 (Right to Work) and the strengthening of Social Security Nets under Directive Principles of State Policy; Federalism in the implementation of Central schemes by State machineries.
2. ROOT WILT DISEASE THREATENS COCONUT CULTIVATION IN SOUTH INDIA
SUBJECT: NATIONAL ISSUES
- Agricultural scientists have sounded an alarm over the rapid spread of Root Wilt Disease across traditional coconut-growing belts in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
- The disease is caused by Phytoplasma, a specialized bacteria; while it does not kill the tree instantly, it severely reduces the yield and quality of copra.
- Experts noted that the disease is transmitted by insects and wind, causing significant economic distress to farmers in the Pollachi and Thanjavur regions of Tamil Nadu.
- In a separate development, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Wildlife Corridor Project at Kaziranga National Park to balance infrastructure growth with conservation.
- The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi remained in the ‘Severe’ category (>400), leading to the intensification of GRAP-4 (Graded Response Action Plan) restrictions starting today.
- Concepts: Disaster Management Act, 2005 – Handling biological disasters and crop protection; Environmental Protection Act, 1986 – Regulatory framework for AQI management.
3. INDIA’S STRATEGIC DIPLOMACY AT THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL
- The World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting commenced today in Davos, Switzerland, with a high-level Indian delegation consisting of Union Ministers and over 100 CEOs focusing on “India’s Digital Leap.”
- In a significant diplomatic move, the U.S. administration invited India to join the proposed “Board of Peace” to mediate and stabilize the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
- The Deputy Prime Minister of Poland, Radosław Sikorski, met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi to discuss a “Zero Tolerance” policy toward cross-border terrorism.
- Bilateral trade between India and Poland has grown by 200% over the last decade, reaching $7 billion, with a focus on defense and food processing.
- The President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, arrived in New Delhi for a state visit to finalize a multi-billion dollar investment in India’s renewable energy grid.
- Concepts: Strategic Autonomy – India’s balanced approach to global conflicts; Multipolarity – Advocating for a restructured UN Security Council.
4. IMF UPGRADES INDIA’S GDP GROWTH ESTIMATE TO 7.3%
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) update, raised India’s growth forecast to 7.3% for FY 2025-26.
- The report attributes this upgrade to robust domestic demand, massive public infrastructure spending, and a resilient services sector.
- India remains the fastest-growing major economy, significantly outpacing the global average growth rate of 3.3%.
- The IMF praised India’s fiscal discipline, noting that inflation is expected to settle within the 2-6% target range set by the RBI.
- In the domestic markets, the Sensex crossed the 83,000-point mark for the first time, fueled by strong Q3 corporate earnings and positive global cues.
- Concepts: Capital Expenditure (CapEx) – Public investment driving GDP; Monetary Policy Framework – RBI’s role in inflation targeting and price stability.
5. DEFENCE EXPORTS: FIRST BATCH OF PINAKA ROCKETS SENT TO ARMENIA
SUBJECT: DEFENCE
- Marking a milestone for “Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” India flagged off the first batch of the Guided Pinaka Weapon System for export to Armenia today.
- The Pinaka system, developed by DRDO and manufactured by private sector firm SDAL, can strike targets with high precision at a range of 75 km.
- The Ministry of Defence highlighted that India’s defense exports are on track to reach the ₹50,000 crore target by 2029.
- The Indian Coast Guard and the Japan Coast Guard conducted a joint exercise, “Sahyog-Kaijin,” off the Mumbai coast focusing on chemical spill response and maritime piracy.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the progress of the LAC infrastructure project, emphasizing the rapid deployment of AI-integrated surveillance drones.
- Concepts: Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 – Encouraging private sector participation in exports; Strategic Partnerships – Collaborative defense drills for Indo-Pacific security.
